Chapter 84 — Love Artistry

In life, some pain is worth tasting their juice. Life might give you sour fruit today, and you might watch it turn into the sweetest fruit you will ever taste. That's called faith.

Hayfah knew her life had lots of obstacles. The road to this her almost perfect life was full of bricks and potholes she couldn't want to look back at. Today, she stood before her family. They were all there, and she didn't know the right words to use to thank Allah. He indeed is the changer of events.

She lost Abba, and that time she thought the little happiness she attained in Abuja had vanished, not knowing it was a blessing in disguise. She had lost Umma months ago, she mourned over the death of the woman she grew up to love as her mother; but still, she stood on her two feet kept walking on the road of life.

They became the best of sisters; her and Amna. She couldn't spend a day without calling Amna and she as well. Tahir had literary brought back his business to Abuja, and she sometimes look at the threads of her past life and smile.

The last time they spoke with Fareeha; she told her that Malik had been engaged; and she could remember how happy she was for him. He had finally let go of what was never going to happen in life. They still kept in touch with Fareeha, and that's what lessened Hayfah's guilt about what she'd done to him. And extended her congratulatory message to him through her.

What irony, Fareeha's momma turned out to be Mama's long-lost friend, Fatima, who was with her when Talhah gave them a ride on his bicycle the day Neema was married to Ali. The talkative Fatima.

They're embarking on a trip today; they're moving to Istanbul. Adyan had been finally given the chance to go work for what he studied for, and Dad appointed Jibril and some of his relatives as the leaders of his company in Abuja. Jibril being the new CEO.

They first have to stop by in Germany, spend two days in Mamas,' leave Rayhan there before they leave to their home. Hayfah couldn't imagine herself living in a completely new life she never thought she would live.

A shriek beside her jolted her out of her reverie, and she looked at uneasy Rayhan that supported her chins with both palms and fixed her eyes on a laughing Mysha. She was only in her diaper.

"Oh my Rabb! Rayhan we're getting late; won't you dress her please? You said I should leave that to you right?" Hayfah muttered and moved towards them.

Rayhan looked up at her and grunted. "Addah Hayfah, this girl had been giving me headache, she couldn't stay still as I put on the jeans for her. She had been playing with her legs for what seemed like forever!" Rayhan scoffed and softly smacked a chuckling Mysha upon the sight of her mother.

Hayfah laughed. "Rayhan you've still not changed. She's just five months old, and you're here acting as if she's 15 years old. Go and get your turban please, Hayatee will soon come in." She took Mysha away from Rayhan and started getting her into her lavish wears. The girl has gotten herself a rich father though.

They were all set, and Hayfah walked into Mom's room to say her last goodbye, because Mom made it clear to them that she wouldn't escort them to even the exit of the main living room because she didn't want to cry. That's why they had no choice but to spend the night at her house.

Hayfah turned the door knob and found the woman on Skype with her Ruru am. She smiled and waited until they finished before she moved towards Mom.

"It's time to leave, right? And you're here to prove your words by making me cry? Well a new discovery baby mama; this woman here is though!" Hayfah hugged her as an answer and Mom slowly laughed.

"Actually, I have a favour to ask, Mom," Hayfah said, fidgeting with her long well-sculpted fingers, which were accented with the henna that Rayhan had applied yesterday.

"I'm all ears, Hayfufu." She laughed, knowing so well Hayfah hated the name much.

"That name Mom!" She whined and continued nonetheless. "Mom please, I know whatever you're doing is because of my sake and you're hurting inside. Please Mom, for the sake of the almighty; forgive Hamma Kassim and call him home."

Her words took Mom off guard, since when he left, no one dared talked to her about him—not even Adyan—because she knew he too needs to be talked to upon the matter. She isn't ready to get herself involved in whatever it is that links up with Kassim; she's still angry at him and a part of him fears him to death. She didn't know what he could do next. That's why she willingly agreed to Adyan moving to Istanbul.

"Hayfah..." Mom started, but Hayfah cut her off softly, taking her hands in hers.

"Mom I know it; you are still angry at him because he made your Ruru am knelt onto her knees and begged. But we're humans m, Mom, and I'm sure he learnt his lessons the hard way.

I know you would think that he wasn't the best son you have always wanted him to be, but Mom think of it; do you want him living a wayward life there in Dubai without you knowing? Because he doesn't have your blessings on him. The angels curse him every day because you're angry at him. Pity his soul and forgive him."

Mom's facial expression softened, and she glanced at her phone that beeped; showing her the notification of Kassim's number that was on the reject list. He called again. Her eyes got misty, but she blinked the tears back.

"Did Adyan knows you'll talk to me about this?" She asked instead, not wanting to give Hayfah a straightforward answer.

"No Mom, the last time I tried talking to him about it he got pissed off and left the room. I know if you forgive Adyan you can convince Dad to do so and Adyan would just be as small as a flicker of dust!" Mom laughed at that, she knew even if Adyan doesn't want to, he 'might' forgive him if they beg him together.

"It's his Rania on the plate. He might be as huge as a zuma rock pertaining this matter, Queen of Hearts!"

"So this name still exists?" Hayfah inquired with a laughter, as she just got a call from Adyan asking for her whereabouts as they were already in the car. She knew why he didn't come to Mom; he didn't want to make her cry.

"Let me escort the Queen of Hearts. For once, she should rule the kingdom." And they got out of the room hand in hand, Hayfah smiling triumphantly at how she successfully accomplished her mission.

"Don't forget to call me when you safely land in Germany!" Mom shouted at them and closed the door; she sticked onto her words of not exceeding the entrance door.

Hayfah smiled and nodded her head before she hopped into the car and saw Adyan playing with Mysha as Rayhan snapped them pictures.

"Hayatee don't spoil my baby's eyes with these pictures of yours that never ends!" Hayfah jested and took the phone away from Rayhan.

"Hey! Rania that's my phone if by chance you got blind and didn't see the pouch!" Adyan retorted and tried collecting his from her when she backed away.

"Just because our phones are the same colour and everything won't make me blind towards my Habibtee. I know it's yours, Hayatee. I want to Skype call Maami so we call say our final goodbye."

"Use your phone nah, I'm already missing my nigga here." He spoke back and was still trying to collect away his phone. They named their phones Habibtee and Nigha the day they had an argument about which phone was the sweetest. So everyone held onto his.

"I'm saving up my data subscription for the next time I'm coming back to Nigeria. Rayhan let's greet Maami." And she paid his grumblings no mind until she finished her call and handed him back his Nigha.

"Take your nigga, the guy is even touch and somewhat untouchable." She grunted and glared at the phone.

"What of your Habibtee, which almost made my money cry for a screen? It's too slippery for no reason!" He retorted back and laughed at how she hugged her Habibtee close to her chest.

"And if not you, who keeps a subscription for over a month? I'm afraid to say this; but Rania you're stingy!"

Hayfah coughed and kissed the tip of her Habibtee. "I'm being called a Nigerian for a reason. And you just made me want to study Economics, how I wished."

"Oh Nigerian indeed. We're going to a country where light doesn't take off. Lest you go there and shout 'Nepa'!" And Adyan had his collar being squeezed as she landed a striking smack on his head; her seated behind him at the back.

"Another word, and wallahi I'll smudge your shirt with my lipstick!"

"Your wish is my command, Rania! I still love you though." And he felt as she landed a smooch on his left cheek but smacked his arm when he tried to turn around her.

***

Mom trudged back to her room and slumped down on her bed. She stood there for minutes and couldn't bring herself to stop thinking about Hayfah's words. Oh her dear Kassim.

She felt tears slowly rolling down her cheeks, and slowly; with her hands shaking, she reached over to her bedside drawer and pulled out the paper she kept for the whole five months.

The paper was plain white, but she could figure out the traces of tears on it. Kassim cried while writing this letter to her? With her tears dripping onto the sheet, she unfolded it and her eyes got in contact with the bare words written by her son.

She took in a deep breath and started reading it out.

Dear Mom, I love you.

I know the time you'd be reading this letter I would've been long deep into the wraths of Allah upon me. Because who will excel in life without having his mother's blessings? I bet none.

You always see me as that sturdy man who doesn't care a single bit about your feelings, right? You were wrong Mom, but wallahi I do. I love you more than I love myself. (I know you've pouted your lips now. Maybe with tears, maybe not.)

The moment I saw those tears in your eyes, as you held my collar and asked me to set Hayfah free, wallahi, I felt her love slowly vanishing from my heart. But I had to hold on, to stay put as the façade of the hard guy I portrayed myself to be. I wanted you to hug me that time, to pray for me so Allah could heal the sick in me, but you didn't.

Sorella (allow me to try it once), right now I'm in tears, afraid of the life I would live without you in it. Without Dad, and worst; my little baby brother Adyan. I'm a bad person, right? I hate myself also, but I know in there within your soul you still love me.

I'll be all cheesy today. To tell you all the things I've never had the chance of telling while I wanted to. My mom is the sweetest, warmest, and most obsequious woman that has ever lived on earth. She loves so deep with a layer that would be hard to peel off. She's in her mid-forties, but she swings us (her kids) off our feet whenever she makes a mien. In short, she's an epitome of beauty, and I love her more than Romeo loves Juliet!

(I know you're smiling widely now! How I wish I could see that smile!)

Help me ask for Dad's forgiveness. I know he couldn't say no to his nightingale. Use those charms on him, flutter those eyelashes until he says, 'Oh, sweetheart, call Kassim back home!' I know my Mom has the power of doing more than this. And Adyan? Brother's do fight right? We'll roll back right were we stopped! Though this is a bit intense, but that guy has a heart of gold, he would forgive his monster of a brother.

Oh Mom, I love you so much. Please forgive me, pray for me, and ask Aunty Ruru to forgive me as well. I love you all; and Mysha? I could die for that little bundle of joy! She's an epitome of exquisiteness!

With love, Kassim (The bad child that turned a monster).

Tears rolling down, her lips fully stretched into a smile, she took her phone in her hands, unblocked his number, and dialled. He picked at the first ring! It was scary!

"Alhamdulillah!" He chanted, letting his tears flow freely on his cheeks.

"I haven't used my charm, but I could imagine him saying 'Oh sweetheart, call Kassim back home!' I love you son, guess what's your new name? Habibi! And call me Sorella!

Oops, the good news: come back home. This epitome of beauty missed the sun that worship her as she shines the earth with its grace!"